Les Puryear, senior pastor of Lewisville (N.C.) Baptist Church, has introduced a movement to increase the representation of smaller churches on committees and boards of the Southern Baptist Convention.
In an April 10 press release, Puryear announced the launch of the SBC Majority Initiative, which he describes as “a movement to increase the representation of the SBC majority in the governing of the SBC.”
“In a convention where 83.4 percent of its churches are only represented by 22 percent on its boards, it is clear that the majority of the churches in the SBC are not equitably represented,” the release stated. “We believe it is time for the era of our convention of small churches being dominated by the minority of big churches to cease.”
The release said a motion to effect a bylaw change will be made in Orlando at the annual SBC meeting and that candidates for major elected offices will be announced on June 14.
Puryear was one of six candidates nominated for SBC president in 2008. Johnny Hunt was elected.
Additional information can be found at www.sbcmajority.com.